Two persons, including an infant, died and seven fell ill following suspected diarrhoea outbreak in Punjab's Jalandhar district, officials said here on Saturday.
"A five-month-old child and a youth have died in the past few days. They had complained of stomach ache but it can't be surely said that the deaths were due to diarrhoea," district Civil Surgeon Dr R.L. Vassan said.
Seven persons have also been admitted to the district hospital in critical conditions, he said, adding that teams of health officials have been rushed to affected areas to provide medical aid.
"We are distributing chlorine tablets door to door. The municipal corporation has also been asked to ensure supply of pure drinking water," he said, rubbishing allegations that the outbreak occurred due to any negligence on part of the administration.
Earlier, DM Priyank Bharati visited the affected areas and instructed authorities to ensure supply of safe drinking water.